Trailer lift



P. P. LUTZ TRAILER LIFT amh 22, 19419.

4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 19, 1947 Inventar Paul R Lufz P. P. LUTZ TRAILER "LIFT- Manch 22, 194-9.

Filed June l9, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 arch 22, 1949, P. P. LUTZ 2465244 TRAILER LIFT- Filed June 19, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventar Paul P. Latz P. P. LUTZ TRAILER LIFT Maya 22, 194%.

4 Sheehs-Sheat 4 Filed June l9 1947 Inventar Paul P. Luf2 Atoqys Patented Man. 22, 1949 UNITED STTEELS PATENT QFFICE TRAILER LIFT Paul P. Latz, Greenfield, Incl.

Applieation June 19, 1947, Serial N0. 755,806

7 Claims.

'I'his inwantion appertains to n-ve1 and useful lmprovements in trailer devlces and more specifically means for 1ifting, dumping and retaining the said trailer in a selected position.

An object of this invention is 170 1ift a trai1er and retain the Same in the lifted position.

Another object of this invention is to Drovide means for lifting the rear portion of a trailer due to the reverse operation df a tractor.

A further object of this invention 15 150 provide means for liftlng the forward end of the trailer also due to the reverse actuation of a tractor.

A further object of this invention is to provide means f-or retaining the above mentioned lifting means in the desired inoperative position.

A still further object of this invention 13 to provlde means for locking selected 1ifting means in the operative position.

Stil] another purpose of this invention is to provide cam means, assisting in the lifting operation.

Another purpose 015 this invention is to prov1de an extremely simple, inexpensive lifting device, obviating expansive hydraulic mechanism as weh as the majority 0 f gears utilized in conventional devices of this natura.

Other objects and features of novelty shall become apparent to th-ose ski1led in the art, and following the description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in I the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational side view of the first form of the present invention;

Figure 2 1s an elevational side view of the third form 0f the present invention, showing the same 1n=a second cycle of operation;

Figure 3 is an elevational side view of the first form of the present inventlon, shoWing the same in another posibion of the normal operation thereof;

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the second form cf the present invention;

Figure 5 is a side view of the invention disclosed in Flgure 4 showing a second operational positlon thereof;

Figure 6 is a sectional view haken substantially on the 1ine 6-6 of Figure 5 and in the direction o1 the ar1ows;

Figur'e 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing the cam means forming part of the present in- "v entlon and takenn the 1ine l-'l cf Figure 6 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 8 is an elevational view of the third form cf the present invention;

Figure 9 is a side view of the fourth form 015 the -present invention;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line HII0 of Figure 9 and in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 11 is an and. view of the first form of the present invention taken substantially in the directiou indicated by llll in Figure 2, and;

F'gure 12 is a, sectional view of the invention disclosed in Figure 2 and taken substantially qn the 1ine l2-IZ thereof and in the direction -of the arrows.

Referring now in detai1 to the illustrated preferred embodiment of the present invention, like reference characters are used throughout to in dicace similar elements.

Taking the first embodiment cf the present invention, illustrated in Figures 1, 2 3, 11 and 12, there 15 disclosed a tractor generally indicated at I0, having the usual pertinent elements associated therewith. A conventional disc type 170W- ing element is provided on Ehe tractor for the usual purpose of securing a trailer thereto.

A trai1er body I4 is provided for use in association with the present invention. Of course, it rn-ay be noted fr0m an inspection of the figures that the illustrated trailer is the suspension type having rear wheels Hi at the terminal portions of an ax1e H), which in turn is secured through the medium of conventional springs to truck frame members 20 and 22 respectively.

A stand 24 composed of suitable metallic members is .provided with bearings 26 at selected ends thereof. These bearingg engage th ax1e 18 thereby rendering the support pivotal a-bout the ax1e of the trailer. Chain means 28 is secured 1:0 the said support 24 and to the channe1 members 20 and 22. Obviously, this chain means limits the travel of the support 2 about the axle I8 as a center.

The forward 'end of the trai1er I4 is engageable with the coupling I2. Links 32 are pivoted to the channel members 22 and 24 respectivaly and suitable s-trengthening members 34 may be utilized, if so desired. 'The opposite ends of the v said links 32 are received in pivotal relation with the coupling I2 through the medium cf a suit able linkage bare shaft 36.

A second support member 38 is pivoted to the channel members 20 and 22 respectively and this last mentioned support is pivoted to a pivot pin 40 which is also comm-on the linkage member 32. Su1table tie -members 42 may be uoilized. in conjun0tion wibh the support 38 for strengthening purposes.

Means for loeking the linkage members 32 In a selected Position is provided. The means is preierably simple latches 44 which are pivoted 130 the channel members 20 =and 22 respectively. These latches are preferably retained by some suitable, resilient Clip 46 which may be also secured to I;he channel members. When the trailer is lifted in the desired position, the latches 44 may be pivoted 120 the desired -position and locked in the terminal portion of the strengthenin g member 34. For this construction, reference is made to Figure 3.

There is provicled means for lifting the supports 24 and 38 I:o the inoperative position and retain the Same in that position. The retaining means utilized in conjunction with the first embodiment of the present invention is simply a series of cables secured to appropriate pulleys and the appropriatg elements. Cables 48 are secured to an appropriate ratchet locking drum 50 Which is conventional in strucure. The drum 58 is preferably secured to the channel members 29 and 22 anal the said cable means 48 exend through suitable pulleys 52 and 54 which aie secured to conventional brackets 58. The cable means 48 terminate at the tie members 42. A second cable means extends from the saicl drum 50 and terminates at the rear support 2=%. 'Ilnis cable 58 may be secured to the lower portion o:f the said rear support 24 throug'n the medium 01" a conventional eye construction and also, the saicl cable 58 may extend through a suiiasle supported pulley 60 maintained on the uncler surface of the said trailer I4. It is quite obvicus fro;n inspection of Figure 2 that upon rotacion of tl1c saicl drum means 50, the f1ont ancl rear supports may be wound to a position beneath the undercarriage of the invention.

The general operation cf the first form of the present invention is extremely similar to the operation cf the other three forms. When the trucl and tractor are positioned in the approximate desired location, the rear suppc-rt 24 may be lowered and then, the tractor urges the truck body member backward until the travel of tho rear Support 24 is impeded by means of the above described chain 28. AI; this polnt, the support; 24 acts as a brake. At the Same ti-me however, the forward support 38 was also engaging Ehe groundthereby 1ifting the forwarcl portion of the trailer oruck also. If it is clesired 110 lift the trailer member I4 even higher, all thab is necessary is to simply operate the tractor I in a reverse direction, the trailer I4 reacting on the brake means 24 simply lifts the said trailer I4 as is seen in Figure 3. AI: tl'iiS point, the latching means 04 may be utilized for retaining the trailer I4 in ehe raised position.

Going now to the second embodiment of the present invention reference is made so Figures 4, 5 6 and 7. This embodiment of the present invention may be utilized with any conventional towing tractor. Certain elements utilized in this embodiment of the lnvention are identical to elements used in the flrst embodiment ans! accordingly, similar reference characters will be utilized. The rear wheel assemblage is identical 110 that of the first embodiment having the same chain means 28 and support 24. It may be noted that the second emboc liment of the present invention may be utilized to great aclvantage on farms and the like wherei-n a conventional tractor may be employed in towing this form of the invention. A trailer body 60 is provided with channel members 20 and 22 respectively and a forward support 38 is also associated therewith. Heck means 62 of any suitable variety such as the swiveling or pivotal type may be secured to the undercarriage of the truck body member 60. Of course, the said hook means supplant Ehe cable means of the first embodiment of the invention and is used for the purpose of retaining the suppori; means 24 and 38 respectively to the umlercarriage of the body member 60.

A draw bar 66 is rigidly securecl to the umlerplate 68 of a multi-disc turning means. A king holt 10 extends through the said under plal;e and also an upper plate 12 for the purpose of providing turning means for the forward wheels 14 utilized in this particular embodiment of the present invention. Of course a suitable axle 16 along With strengthening members 18 may be supplied for suspending the said wheel I4 in the desired operative position. A tie rod is secured to the relatively stationary upper platze 0r disc 12 for 'che purpose of suspending a pair o1 cam Support means or links 82.

These links 82 may be viewed in Figure 5 wherein it is notcl that they are pivobecl to a pair of pitman rods 84 connected between the terminal portion cf the said links 02 ancl t-he channel members 20 a'ncl 22 respectively. Chain means 05 also extend between the terminal portion of the said links 82 and a suitable point on the channel members 20 and 22.

In Operation, I:he support: means 38 anci 24 are dropiaed to the ground or other tractor supporting surface and I;he trailer may be lifted as desc1ibed in the operation Set forth pertinent to the first embodiment of this invention. As I;he trailer is lifted the same may ride 011 the cam surfaoes 88 provided in -the links 82.

Going now to the third embodiment of 'this invention, reference is made to the single Figure 8. Hera there is disclosecl a relatively small trailer body member 90 wherein the channel members 20 and 22 (unshown) are also suppliecl. Suspension means for the wheel is provided and of course, in this embodiment it may be found preierable to utilize conventional leaf springs. The support means 24 along with the chain rneans 28 are employed in association With the rear wheel and I:he hook means 62 pertinent thereto are utilized for the purpose of retaining the support means 24 anal 38 adjacent the under-carriage o1 the body member 90.

II; will be noted that there is illustrated a canventiona1 automobile which is be employed as a tractor in this embocliment of the invention.

" Accordingly, a conventional hitch 92 is secured to the rear bumper of the tractor I0 and the counecting links 94 extending between the trailer and tractor are especially adapted for use in canjunction with the relatively light construction of the hitch 92. II: will be noted that the connect- Ing links 94 have a right angular band therein thereby rendering them similar to hell cranks. Of course, the links 94 may be pivotecl to a common pivot pin 96 also utilized for the purpose of piV0ting the forward Support 38. The opposite ends of the hell crank links 94 a're pivoted to the upper portion of the hitt:h 92 by mans m a suitable pivot pin 98 whit:h is Conventional in natura. The operation of this form of I:he presenI; invention is deeymed apparent from an in- 'spection of Figure 8 and also from the desCrlptioz1 of the operatin of the first form explained herewith.

Reference is now made in Figures 9 anti 10 wherein the final embodimient of the present invention 1s illustrated. It will be noted that this last embodiment cf the present invention is a1- most identical to that described as the second embodiment. Th same truck body member 83 is employed along With the rear support 26, front Support 38, chain Iimiting means 28 and heult means 62. A slightly different type of draw bar is utilized herewith and is generally indicated at I00. 'Ihis draw bar may be supplied with an extension 102 wherein a pin 104 may be employed for securing the said dravv bar to a conventional draw bar l06 of a farm tractor.

The distinguishin feature in this embodiment of the present invention is disclosed as the connecting links H38, difierentiating from the comnecting links 82 of the second embodiment of the invention. It will be noted that the cam surfaces 88 are obviated and the connecting links H18 are pivoted di1ectly to a common pin I I also utilized in pivoting the forward Support means 38. In this embodiment of the present invention substantially the sar.ne results are produ zed as that in the second embodiment yet the coustruction is m01e inexpensiVe and simple.

It will be notecl at this point that lt is Within the purview of this .lnvention 1:0 supply cable actuated latches in place of the hooks 62 if so desired. Further, the cable means illustrated in the first embodiment of the present invention may be also employecl with any of the other illustrated embodiments if it is desired to produce the efi"ect attained by utility of the cable means.

Having sei; forth the preferred embodiments cf the present invention in detail, it is apparent that various changes and modifications may be made of the inventive concept without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, llmitation is sought only in accorclance with the scope of the following claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. Lifting means for use with a trailer having wheels, a chassis and an axle housing associated therewith, a frame pivoted 130 said housing, means for retaining said frame in a select8d pivoted position, a second frame pivoted to said chassis engageable with a trailer supportin surface, means pivoted to said trailer for connecting Ehe trailer to a tractor, flexible means associated with said trailer and said second frame for limiting the travel of said second frame, an arm pivoted to said chassis, l0cking means on said arm and said second frame for retaining said second frame in a predetermined position.

2. Lifting means for use with a trailer having wheels, a chassis and an axle housing associated therewith, a first frame pivoted to said housing, means for retaining said first frame in a selected pivoted position, a second frame pivoted to said Chassis engageable With a trailer supporting surface, means pivoted to said trailer for Connecting the trailer to a tractor, means for returning at least one of said frames to the normally imperative position, flexible means secured to said trailer and said first frame for limiting the travel thereof, locking means associated With said Chassis and engaging saicl second frame for retaining said second frame in a predetermined position.

3. Lifting means comprising a trailer having wheels and an axle housing associated therewith, a. frame pivoted to said housing, means for retaining said frame in a selected pivotzad position, a second frame pivoted to said trailer engageable with a trailer supporting surface, means pivoted to said trailer for connecting the trailer to a tractor, said last means including cam means engageable wlth said trailer for lifting the said trailer.

4. Liftlng means comprising a trailer having wheels an-d an axle housing associated therewith, a, frame pivoted to said housing, means for retaining said frame in a selected pivoted position, a second frame pivoted to said trailer engageable with a trailer supporting surface, means pivoted to said trailer for connecting the trailer to a tractor, said last means including cam means engageable with said trailer for lifting the said trailer, said last means including arms pivoted to saicl trailer having cam surfaces engageable with said trailer.

5. Lifting means comprising a. trailer ha.ving wheels and an axle housing associated therewith, a frame pivoted 30 said housing, means for retaining said frame in a selected pivoted position,

second frame pivoted seid trailer engageable with a trailer supporting su1face, means pivoted. said trailer for connecting the trailer to a tractor, said last means including cam means engageable with said trailer for lifting the said trailer, seid last means including arms pivoted to said trailer having cam surfaces engageable with said. t:ailer, and flexible means secured 130 said arms and said traller for limiting the travel of seid arms.

6. Lifting means comprising a trailer having wheels and an axle housing associated therewith, a frame pivoted 120 seid housing, means for retaining said frame in a selected pivoted position, a second frame pivoted to said trailer engageable with a trailer supporting surface, means pivoted to said trailer for connecting the trailer to a tractor, means including cam means engageable With said trailer for lifting the seid trailer said last means including arms pivoted to saicl trailer having cam surfaces engageable With said trailer, means on said trailer for retaining the said arms in the imperative position.

7. Lifting means comprising a trailer having wheels and an axle housing associated therewith, a frame pivoted to said housing, means for retaining said frame in a selected pivoted position, a second frame pivoted 110 said trailer engageable With a trailer supporting surface, means pivotecl to saicl trailer for connecting the trailer to a tractor, said last means inc luding cam means engageable with said trailer for lirfting the said trailer, said last means including arms pivoted to said trailer having cam surfaces engageable With said trailer, latch means secured to said trailer lockingly engageable with said arms for retainin;; said arms in a predetermined position.

REFERENCES CITED 1 The following references are of record in the file of thiS patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Da.te

1356697 Graue Oct. 26, 1920 2,027098 Helms Jan. 7, 1936 2190489 Sellinger Feb. 13, 1940 

